Morchella capensis sp. nov., the Fynbos morel-the first description of an endemic Morchella species from Africa.

Abstract

A species of Morchella was observed growing in spring, under a vulnerable member of the Proteaceae, in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. These fungi shared many of the cryptic characteristics common in the genus Morchella and displayed a wide range of phenotypic expression. The unique ecology of these fungi and the fact that no endemic Morchella species have been described from Africa lead to suspicions that this could be a novel species. Sequencing of key genetic regions, phylogenetics, and morphological studies confirmed that this was indeed a previously unknown species of Morchella. Roots collected underneath the fruiting bodies displayed a range of root-associated activities, alluding to a possible relationship. Further, this Morchella species has a history of traditional use on the Cape Peninsula of South Africa. The traditional use of fungi is rarely recorded in Africa. In this study, we introduce Morchella capensis sp. nov., the first endemic African morel.